Nonprofits should apply for Kennebunkport funding, panel says

Thursday

KENNEBUNKPORT — Soon nonprofits could have to fill out an application if they want to receive funding from the town, if a subcommittee's recommendation moves forward.

KENNEBUNKPORT — Soon nonprofits could have to fill out an application if they want to receive funding from the town, if a subcommittee's recommendation moves forward.

David James, a member of the Non-Profit Agency Sub-Committee Study Group, presented a report by the group during the Board of Selectmen's Feb. 20 meeting. The report has been provided to the Board of Selectmen and Budget Board, but neither board has had an opportunity to review or act on the recommendation.

"There is no need for immediate action by the Budget Board or the Board of Selectmen at this time, but the subcommittee requests that sometime in the next month or so, both boards decide on either accepting the recommendations, as presented, or requesting changes as they may see necessary," James said.

The subcommittee, which was formed last fall, recommends that the town implement a standardized application process through which non-profit social service agencies would be classified as life-sustaining services or agencies offering lifestyle-enhancing services. While applications from agencies fitting both categories could be considered, the subcommittee recommends that agencies providing life-sustaining services be given priority.

Non-profit organizations that provide services exclusively to residents of Kennebunkport, that do not charge a fee for those services, and that traditionally receive funding from the town — including KEMS, Graves and Cape Porpoise public libraries, and the Kennebunkport Cemetery Fund — should not have to submit anapplication form, the subcommittee report states. The proposed application asks for a cover letter stating the agency's request, a copy of its current budget and most recently audited financial statement, as well as information on the services the agency provides.

The group also recommends that the subcommittee continue as a standing group known as the Kennebunkport Municipal Social Services Review Committee to review applications and make recommendations to the Budget Board and Board of Selectmen.

The proposal was developed after studying the processes successfully used by other municipalities throughout the state, James said.

"We have attempted to incorporate the best practices and eliminate the worst," he said.

With the town about to begin its review of the FY '15 budget, the subcommittee recommends that the application process begin for FY '16.

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